History Film / Metropolis

Also notable is the 1984 color-tinted restoration by composer Music/GiorgioMoroder, which was for many years [[KeepCirculatingTheTapes only available on VHS and LaserDisc]] due to its [[BrokenBase controversial]] [[TheEighties 80's]] [[NotableOriginalMusic pop soundtrack]]. [[http://www.themortonreport.com/entertainment/video/kino-to-bring-giorgio-moroders-metropolis-to-blu-ray-and-dvd/ Until now, anyway.]] Moroder's version is now available on Netflix instant streaming (alongside the full restored cut), and a DVD/BD release is soon to follow. In the UK, a 2-hour cut of ''Metropolis'' is [[http://www.lovefilm.com/film/?token=%3Fu%3D%252Fcatalog%252Ftitle%252F10674%26m%3DGET available for streaming on LoveFilm.com]].

* ''WesternAnimation/SpiderMan1967'' used Rotwang as an evil scientist's character design in one episode, just changing the colors from a black outfit & glove to a white lab-coat and red glove (and green skin).

* MadonnaWhoreComplex: The film contains one of the most explicit and extreme examples in fiction. The real Maria is passive, saintly, and demure, whilst Robot-Maria is an evil, hyperactive seductress. The former is (obviously) named after the original Madonna, the Virgin Mary, whilst the latter is repeatedly compared to the Whore of Babylon from the Book of Revelations.

* SoundtrackDissonance / CrowningMusicOfAwesome: Giorgio Moroder's version is a love it or hate it, [[CultClassic cult adaptation]]. Featuring [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epuUqdkO47w Jon Anderson]] (of Music/{{Yes}}), Music/PatBenatar, Adam Ant, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNEjSi9SVAU#t=2m45s "Destruction"]] by Loverboy, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLUo2UQxSts Bonnie Tyler]], [[Music/{{Queen}} Freddie Mercury]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7CLLBZpT_Q Cycle V and Moroder himself]]. Yes. [[KeepCirculatingTheTapes Hard to find]].[[note]]Even on [=YouTube=] -- apparently the FW Murnau Foundation is against it, [[SarcasmMode though they aren't against any other version appearing on [=YouTube=]]]...[[/note]]

--> '''Joh''': Maria talks of peace, not murder! This is not Maria!

Aside from its progressive storytelling, it is also known for being heavily [[LostEpisode fragmented]], the results of both heavy Bowdlerization in its trip to foreign markets, and of poor preservation techniques back in the '30s (plus a little thing called UsefulNotes/WorldWarII).

* The French animated film ''WesternAnimation/TheKingAndTheMockingbird'' takes place in the city-state kingdom of Takicardia; which is inspired by Metropolis. The upperclasses live in skyscraper, while the poor live in the undercity have never even seen the sun.

** Georgy is the Slavic version of George.

* ''Before Tomorrowland'', a prequel novel to Disney's ''Film/{{Tomorrowland}}'' film features a roboticist villain named after Rotwang, though in-universe, Fritz Lang named the character after him, having once been colleagues within the Plus Ultra organization.

** Georgy is the slavic version of George.

* TheConstant: Rotwang's house is [[GeniusLoci beyond ancient]], and sticks out like a sore thumb wedged in amongst the skyscrapers. It also has a secret door leading to [[BeneathTheEarth The Catacombs]].

* {{Gonk}}: In a film where everyone looks uniform, Rotwang- the MadScientist with fuzzy hair, bulging eyes, and a hunchback figure- really stands out.

** The workers also do many stupid things in the third act. They completely fail to realise that thier leader is clearly NotHerself, (made worse by the fact that Freder - who, at this point, has met her a total number of twice - realises it almost immediatly,) they forget about their children and leave them behind in their city, (even though they were specifically instructed to bring their sons along,) and they destroy huge machines without thinking about the consequenses, (which even Grot calls them out on). This can, however, be somewhat justified by Robot-Maria being TheCorruptor, and intending to cause havoc through the workers ("Let's watch the world go to the Devil!").
* IHaveYouNowMyPretty: Every scene between Rotwang and Maria. ''Especially'' the one before the transformation sequence. It doesn't help that the next time we see them, Maria is naked, unconsious and strapped to a table.

* MadScientistLaboratory: Rotwang's house

* MobileMaze: Rotwang's house. The doors can be completely sealed at a whim, which he uses against Freder and Maria at different points.
* MohsScaleOfViolenceHardness: It rates 2, due to a few acts of fatal violence, although it's all bloodless (except for a couple minor nicks and scratches).

** Subverted in the 2010 version, where it'ss clear that he doesn't mind his robot being used for unethical means. He just doesn't want Joh Fredersen to take her away from him.

* SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains: Exaggerated and justified. The Real Maria works as a priestress, the False Maria works as a stripper.

* Music/{{Space}}'s album ''Give Me Your Future'' makes several shoutouts to ''Metropolis'' throughout the lyrics and album artwork. Like Kraftwerk, it also bears a song a with the same name.

* The music video for Music/{{Queen}}'s "Radio Ga Ga" is inspired by and uses actual footage from ''Metropolis''. Only fitting really, Freddie Mercury was involved in composing the 1984 release.

* The album ''Give Me Your Future'' by Music/{{Space}} was influenced in part by ''Metropolis'', with several shoutouts throughout the lyrics and artwork. Like Kraftwerk, it also includes a track with the same name.

* The album ''Give Me Your Future'' by Music/{{Space}} was influenced in part by ''Metropolis'', with the album artwork and lyrics making several nods to the film.

* Singer JanelleMonae's ''Metropolis'' series of {{Concept Album}}s.

* SoundtrackDissonance / CrowningMusicOfAwesome: Giorgio Moroder's version is a {{love it|OrHateIt}} [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks or hate it]], [[CultClassic cult adaptation]]. Featuring [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epuUqdkO47w Jon Anderson]] (of Music/{{Yes}}), Music/PatBenatar, Adam Ant, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNEjSi9SVAU#t=2m45s "Destruction"]] by Loverboy, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLUo2UQxSts Bonnie Tyler]], [[Music/{{Queen}} Freddie Mercury]], [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7CLLBZpT_Q Cycle V and Moroder himself]]. Yes. [[KeepCirculatingTheTapes Hard to find]].[[note]]Even on [=YouTube=] -- apparently the FW Murnau Foundation is against it, [[SarcasmMode though they aren't against any other version appearing on [=YouTube=]]]...[[/note]]

* GlovedFistOfDoom: Rotwang wears a black glove over his artifical hand.

* An Italian ComicBook/DisneyComics adaptation featuring Minnie Mouse as Maria and Mickey as Freder.

* The French animated film ''WesternAnimation/TheKingAndTheMockingbird'' takes place in the city-state kingdom of Takicardia; which is inspired by Metropolis. The uppercases live in skyscrapers and the poor live in the undercity have never even seen the sun.

* XMeetsY: Literature/TheTimeMachine meets Literature/TheFutureEve meets Literature/TheBible, with bits and pieces of Literature/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame and Literature/ThePrinceAndThePauper thrown in for good measure.

Aside from its progressive storytelling, it is also known for being heavily [[LostEpisode fragmented]], the results of both heavy Bowdlerization in its trip to foreign markets, and of poor preservation techniques back in the '30s (plus a little thing called World War II).

Not to be confused with the [[Anime/{{Metropolis}} anime film of the same name]], which is [[InNameOnly very loosely based on]] a manga by Creator/OsamuTezuka, which was itself SuggestedBy, but not adapted from, this movie.

Not to be confused with the [[Anime/{{Metropolis}} anime film of the same name]], which is SuggestedBy but not adapted from it.

Up to 25% of the original footage was considered lost before turning up in a museum in Argentina in 2007, albeit in inferior picture quality. The rediscovered footage was cleaned up as well as possible and integrated into the existing restored footage. The rediscovered version also confirmed the exact running order of shots, which in previous versions could only be guessed at. This new version runs only about five minutes short of the original 1927 German cut, as opposed to nearly an entire hour shorter in some versions. Unfortunately, two scenes still remained too badly damaged to restore, and were replaced by title cards. It made its big US debut at the Turner Classic Movies festival in 2009 and on television on Turner Classic Movies in November 2010. This nearly complete version was released on DVD and UsefulNotes/BluRay in late 2010.